IATA: February Global Domestic Air Traffic Near 2019 Levels
February global domestic traffic, as measured in revenue passenger kilometers, increased 25.2 percent year over year and was at 97.2 percent of February 2019 levels, according to the International Air Transport Association. International traffic was up 89.7 percent for the month and reached 77.5 percent of 2019 levels.
Total February global air traffic increased 55.5 percent versus a year prior and now is at 84.9 percent of February 2019 levels, a slight increase from January’s 84.2 percent. Global capacity, as measured in available seat kilometers, was up 35.7 percent year over year, while passenger load factor was up 9.9 percentage points to 77.8 percent.
Despite the uncertain economic signals, demand for air travel continues to be strong across the global and particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. The industry is now just about 15 percent below 2019 levels of demand, and that gap is narrowing each month.
The Luton Airport DART transit opened this week
The UK’s latest train service, the Luton Airport Express, officially launched on Monday, which was also the day that the DART light rail shuttle between Luton Airport Parkway rail station and the airport terminal launched 24/7 operations.
Luton Airport Express is operated by East Midlands Railway, which runs trains from London St Pancras towards Sheffield on the line which passes Luton Airport Parkway station. The new Luton Airport Express runs every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday and operates non-stop to the airport. The quickest journey time from St Pancras to the airport, including the DART transfer, is 32 minutes, of which around 22 minutes is the National Rail portion.
Leeds Bradford Airport set to open refurbished lounge in April 2023.
The Yorkshire Lounge and the 1432 Runway Club lounges have been reconfigured and expanded to include extra seating and will feature improved menus that showcase locally sourced food and drink, including beers and spirits. They will operate longer opening hours, with availability from 4am-8pm daily and year-round. The 1432 Runway Club has been relocated to give it the best views of the runway, and redecorated with a Scandinavian-style interior, including new furniture and a feature wall.
Travel news as a glance:
Qatar Airways to resume flights to Birmingham in July
Etihad to go daily to Toronto from Abu Dhabi
United to fly to 100+ international cities this summer.
Aer Lingus increases capacity from Manchester to New York
SAUDIA ramps up flights to Europe and Asia
Vistara debuts Heathrow-Mumbai 787 route